Project Livewire tour

Project Livewire to go international

THE Project Livewire tour, Harley-Davidson's project to create brand acceptance for and 'crowd-source' an E-bike strategy, is now set to expand internationally.
This year will see the machine being made available for selected test rides in more US states, plus in Asia, Europe, and Canada. The international tour begins at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit.

Specifically designed to provide insights into what electric motorcycle riders might expect and accept from an electric Harley-Davidson, the touring program invites customers to test ride and then provide feedback on their experience.
"Project LiveWire has reset expectations", said Chief Marketing Officer Mark-Hans Richer. "The first phase provided valuable feedback about the features and experience riders expect from an electric Harley. This year we're expanding that experience to a global audience to gain even deeper insights from riders to help us shape the future direction of this exciting technology."

In 2014, more than 15,000 customers provided feedback on Project LiveWire, including more than 6,800 who took demo rides, as part of a 30-stop tour across the US and at a special consumer event for Latin American customers in Miami.

projectlivewire.com

Donnie Smith Invitational

Donnie Smith Invitational
March 28-29, St Paul, Minnesota

 

This year's 28th annual Donnie Smith Invitational Custom Bike Show (now with added cars) is being staged at the Saint Paul River Center, St Paul, Minneapolis, on Saturday March 28th and Sunday March 29th.
Sponsored by mail order parts and accessory retailer Dennis Kirk, the show is said to have the largest attendance of any custom bike industry event in the Midwest, and will see a host of big name guests in attendance with top-class custom bikes competing for a total cash prize fund in excess of $7,500.00.

The show has grown tremendously from its beginnings, and weathered the downturn well - the organizer, Neil Ryan, says that this year it will again comprise over 200,000 square feet of expo center grade indoor show space, with competition classes set to include Custom Baggers, Choppers, retro bobbers and custom cruisers.

www.donniesmithbikeshow.com

Öhlins Racing

Öhlins launches H- D ‘Blackline’ range

ÖHLINS has moved away from its characteristic yellow and gold designs for the launch of its Blackline range of products for Harley-Davidson applications.

The new Öhlins Blackline shocks are available for H-D twin shock machines. Available in ‘dividing piston’ and piggyback versions, the shocks can be ordered with a number of different damping adjustment options, with or without length adjustment.
For the front end, the FKC fork cartridge kit has been designed to offer a high-end cartridge damping system for FLH and FLT models. Using an 8mm steel shaft, an aluminium damper tube and 25mm pistons, the system features Öhlins’ NIX technology; rebound damping in one leg, and compression damping in the other - maximising the damping that is available within the confined diameter of the fork legs.
 

Robert Brinkmark, Öhlins Product Manager Motorcycles says, “Developing Öhlins shocks for the Harley-Davidson market has been an important focus for us and we are proud to launch the first of many products for Harley-Davidson bikes. The focus has been on riding comfort and high quality for these shocks to further improve the ride feeling. The new striking design is also a result of our increased focus for the custom market. 
“Our range of twin shocks offer an unsurpassed ride for these often heavier, fully loaded motorcycles, giving all day comfort in the saddle, crucial for riders of these machines.” 

ÖHLINS RACING
Upplands Vaesby, SWEDEN
Tel: +46 (0)8 590 025 00
info@ohlins.se
www.ohlins.com

Motorcycle Storehouse

Motorcycle Storehouse extends range

MOTORCYCLE Storehouse has always had a wide range of aftermarket custom style exhaust mufflers available, and is now offering them in a black finish too. The muffler styles, which include Megaphone, Wrestler, Moonshine Bruiser, Trumpet, Megaphone and Megaton among others, are all supplied with a universal slider mounting system and a 1-3/4in inlet that will fit all stock Harley-Davidson headers. An internal baffle is fitted to the pipes, but it does not meet EC approval standards. 

Created specifically for ‘06-‘14 Dyna models, the forward control reduced reach kits from Motorcycle Storehouse can be used to bring the stock forward controls 1in closer to the rider. The kit, which is compatible with all stock ‘06-‘14 Dyna forward controls, except those in the FLD Switchback, can be fitted with no permanent modification needed to the bike. 

The latest gauge from Velona stocked by Motorcycle Storehouse is an EC-approved, 60mm diameter, fully digital speedo/tacho. It displays speeds up to 250mph or 399kph, an adjustable 0-20,000rpm tachometer with bar graphics, a 99,9999-mile/km odometer and two separate 0-9999.9 miles / km trip meters. The instrument comes with LED background lighting and can be connected to the bike's digital output signal. If there is no digital output available, MCS recommends the use of one of its MCS 900404 sensors.

MOTORCYCLE STOREHOUSE BV
Bedum, NETHERLANDS
Tel: +31 (0)50 303 9775
info@mcseurope.nl
www.mcseurope.nl

Perf-form Filters

Updated custom oil filter/cooler design

Perf-form Filters has announced the introduction of its new HD-CXS2 oil
filter/cooler.
Designed as a an updated, new lightweight easy-change version of their popular HD-CXS, it is a spin-on replacement oil filter/cooler for Harley-Davidson Twin Cam and Sportster '88-'12 engines.

It features a high efficiency disposable filter cartridge mounted in a finned aluminum housing that stays permanently mounted to the engine - meaning that there is only need to remove the easily accessed end cap to change the filter for mess-free filter changes.
The company says their deisgn and filter delivers superior oil filtration with more filter surface area than stock filters for high-flow and low differential pressures.
Delivering between 5 to 10 percent increased cooling, the filter design and material provides superior small particle retention capabilities of a kind not possible on other canister style filters.
The kit ships with three replacement filters and fits all Harley Big Twin models, including FLH, Ultra, Road Glide, Street Glide, Softail and Sportsters.

www.perf-form.com

Le Pera

Le Pera Stubbs Spoiler

LE PERA’S line of Stubs seats includes the Spoiler, a café racer styled seat, which is available to fit both Dyna and Sportster applications. 

The Stubs Spoiler for Dyna and Dyna Wide Glide models fits bikes built between ’06 and ’14 and is 10.5in wide. It is available in black with a choice of black, grey or red stripes.
To fit Sportster ’04-’14, the Stubs Spoiler can be used on bikes with either a 4.5 or 3.3-gallon tank, on the latter there will be a 15in gap between the seat and tank. The seat is finished in black with the choice of stripes and contrast stitching in black, brown, red, or yellow. 

LE PERA ENTERPRISES
North Hollywood, California, USA
Tel: 818 767 5110
info@lepera.com
www.lepera.com

TTS Motorcycles

Brake discs in spoke design

TTS in Germany is now offering stainless steel brake discs with a spoke design and TÜV certification for many Harley models. A full list of applications can be found on the company’s website under ‘News brake discs’. The rotors are available in 11.5in (292mm) and 11.8in (300mm) diameters.
The discs are available with TÜV parts certificate to para 19.3, and can be registered at any TÜV or Dekra office.

TTS MOTORCYCLES
Westerkappeln, GERMANY
Tel: +49 (0)5404 6394
info@wheelspoint.de
www.wheelspoint.de

AIM Corp

VP-Charger 131R clutch kit

AIM has responded to the launch by S&S Cycle of its 143ci V-twin motor for use in Bagger models by introducing the VP-Charger 131R clutch kit, which it claims is suitable for the high power output of the new engine. 

AIM’s VP-Charger 131R kit includes a 380lb spring and a black billet clutch plate that are used in conjunction with the stock H-D Tourer clutch on ‘98 and later Big Twin models (except '13 and later CVO and Tri-Glide, '15 and later Ultra Limited Low and Electra Glide Classic Low models with New Assist Clutch) to enable it to handle torque figures up to 160ft-lbs.

H-D stock derby covers, 103ci and 110ci CVO covers (except any special or '03 anniversary) do not require a derby cover spacer. Non-stock derby cover (including any special or '03 anniversary cover) and three-hole derby cover may require a spacer.

AIM CORP
Huntington Beach, California, USA
Tel: 714 848 3030
info@aim-tamachi.com
www.aim-tamachi.com

Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show

Dublin show to be World Championship affiliate again

THE ninth biennial Carole Nash Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show is being staged from 27th February to 1st March at the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) in Dublin, Ireland, this year.
Regularly attracting 27,000 visitors, the organizers say that there is strong recovery in the small but growing Irish market, and that with over 2,000 sqm (approx.10,000 sqft) of booth space already sold, the show is destined to be a sell-out and the biggest for many years.

Exhibitors include company or dealer booths for most of the major manufacturers including Harley-Davidson, Ducati, BMW, Honda, Polaris, Triumph and Yamaha.
Show Director Ruth Lamass told AMD: "When I began organizing this event back in 2003, I had no idea that it would grow to the scale that it has now. For me it is very important that when we put on the show, we improve on the previous years. This policy ensures that people who visit the show will always experience something new, something that has never been seen in Ireland before. 

"I have no doubt that visitors to the 2015 show will agree that we achieved this again with an even bigger and more action-packed three-day event. I would like to again thank our headline sponsor Carole Nash Insurance Consultants, who help make it possible to be the best show in Ireland."
We here at AMD Magazine are proud to say that the Irish International Custom Show at the Carole Nash Irish Motorbike and Scooter Show will again be an affiliate to the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building.
Two years ago, the Irish Championship was won by ‘Rondine’ from Medaza Cycles, who then went on to scoop that year's 10th annual AMD World Championship for Ireland.

www.irishmotorbikeshow.com

Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials

Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials
August 29 - September 3, 2015

THE second annual Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials (aka The AMA Land Speed Grand Championship) will be staged from August 29 to September 3. The event is building on the legacy of AMA Hall of Famer Denis Manning's 10 years of operating the Bub Exhausts sponsored Motorcycle Speed Trails.

Eva Håkansson with KillaJoule

This AMA and FIM sanctioned event offers AMA national and FIM world record opportunities.  The event caters for all contenders, from the ‘Run Watcha Brung' vintage, street legal and class records, right through to the streamliners. Indeed last year's 241 mph fastest time was set by Eva Hakansson on KillaJoule - an electric motor powered streamliner.

Online entries are expected to open on April 1, 2015.

DELICATE PROMOTIONS LLC
info@bonnevillespeedtrials.com
www.bonnevillespeedtrials.com

Australian Motorcycle Industry Association

Australian road bike sales +1.5 percent in 2014

According to data released by the Australian Motorcycle Industry Association (FCAI)  2014 new motorcycle registrations there saw total motorcycle, ATV and scooter sales reaching 111,599, which, at just -2.2 percent compared to 2013, means that the Australian market is stabilising.
Road bike sales were strong, increasing 1.5 per cent compared to 2013 and accounting for 39.9 per cent of the total market. Total road bike sales were 44,530. Honda took out top position for sales in this category. Honda’s 9,011 new road bike sales accounted for 22.3 percent of the total road bike market and also helped Honda become the top selling brand in 2014. Honda sold a total of 24,866 new motorcycles, ATVs and scooters in 2014.
In second place for total sales was Yamaha with 18.3 per cent of the market (20,394). Kawasaki was third with 9.9 per cent (11,024), Suzuki was fourth with 8.7 per cent (9,745) and Harley-Davidson was fifth with 7.7 per cent (8,577).

In the road bike category, Harley-Davidson was the second highest selling brand with 19.3 per cent of road bike sales (8,577). Harley-Davidson was followed by Kawasaki with 13.4 per cent (5,964), Yamaha with 11.9 per cent (5,290) and Suzuki with 6.8 per cent (3,017).
Off-road motorcycle purchases accounted for almost 33.7 per cent of total market sales, with 37,670 Australians taking home a new off-road bike. The popularity of these vehicles has fallen since 2013, with the 37,670 sales representing a 4.3 per cent decrease on 2013 figures.
Yamaha led the market for off-road motorcycles, selling 30.1 per cent (11,356) of the total off-road bikes sold. Yamaha was followed by Honda with 26.2 per cent (9,871), KTM with 15.2 per cent (5,730), Suzuki with 11.7 per cent (4,417) and Kawasaki with 10.4 per cent (3,920).
The ATV market grew by 2 per cent in 2014 (compared to 2013), with a total of 21,723 ATVs sold. The total sales represent 19.5 per cent of the total 2014 motorcycle market. Polaris was the leading brand in the ATV market, selling 27.1 per cent (5,892) of the total ATV sales. Honda was second with 23 per cent (5,007), Yamaha was third with 15.6 per cent (3,391), Suzuki was fourth with 10.2 per cent (2,215) and BRP was fifth with 8.5 per cent (1,853)
 Scooter sales continued to decline in 2014, with total sales down 19.7 per cent on 2013 sales figures. Piaggio topped the list in the scooter market, selling almost 16.8 per cent (1,295) of the total 7,676 scooters sold. Vespa came in second with 14.8 per cent (1,140), Honda was third with 12.7 per cent (977), SYM was fourth with 8.7 per cent (670) and Kymco was fifth with 7.2 per cent (550). Scooter sales represented 6.9 per cent of the total motorcycle market.

'WSA' by Veikko Sikiö

Bikes that win the top prize at Twin Club MC Norrtälje’s annual ride-in show have a tradition of placing highly at the World Championship, with the best result being Stellan Egeland, of SE Service who won the Championship in 2007 with Hulster. This year’s winner at Twin Club was Veikko Sikiö who then went on to place second in the World Championship of Custom Bike Building.
 

IT is safe to say that for a bike to be entered in the World Championship of Custom Bike Building it will have a selection of one-off parts used on it. Some builders take this theme further than others and one who has taken the theme to extremes is Veikko Sikiö, of Waylon Machinery, Juupajoki, Finland. When it came to building WSA, his entry for the 2014 World Championship, and the bike that took top honors for him at Twin Club MC Norrtälje show in the summer, is almost entirely hand-made.

The starting point for Sikiö’s project was the engine build. The began by selecting a set of old Triumph pistons and a set of Ironhead Sportster flywheels so he could then work out how to get an 800cc V-Twin configuration. The heads on the 60-degree V-twin were originally found on single cylinder BSA B33 engines, and to get the exact configuration he wanted Sikiö has moved the intakes. This set-up means that he has a four cam motor, which features home-made crank cases and cylinders. He made them by recycling old alloy car wheels. Each wheel was melted down and then the molten alloy was poured into molds he had crafted to create the parts he needed. 

Due to the engine’s unique design everything had to be carefully thought out and made to work accordingly, and a case in point is the Bosch magento. Mounted in front of the downtube of the frame it is driven by a short chain on a sprocket on the end of the crank.
While he May have modified the heads to place the carbs where he wanted them, Sikiö wasn’t happy with the performance of the Amal carbs he originally fitted. His answer to the problem was to make his own carbs, which were in place when the bike was displayed at the World Championship.
The engine set-up is completed by the manual oil pump mounted between the cylinder heads that is used at start-up to ensure the heads are properly lubed.
Power is taken from the motor by a home-made open primary that is connected to a clutch sourced from a Jawa speedway bike. Behind the clutch Sikiö has used a four-speed BSA gearbox. However, just to confuse people, Sikiö describes the drivetrain as being from B&W Gear Co Ltd. The company doesn’t exist, he simply cast the name into the parts because he could.

That same philosophy of adding names to components can also be found on the wheels, which carry the name Bobbin, but were in fact, like most of the bike, cast by Sikiö himself. Both 19in and wearing Firestone tires, the front has small magnets set into one side of the rim which are used to power the headlamps on the bike. The back wheel carries the only brake on the bike, which is a modified Triumph drum.
Given the unique nature of the engine and drivetrain it should come as no surprise that the frame on WSA is a one-off, made by Sikiö. Once again he has used his casting skills to create the brass lugs that the steel tubes have been brazed into. The same techniques have been used on the girder fork at the front that has friction dampers along with the coil springs, and integrates the risers for the narrow, one-off bars.
In order to keep the handlebars as clean as possible, and also due to the lack of space on them, as they are so narrow, the only controls are an internal throttle. The clutch is foot operated and works off the same pedal as the rear brake.  

Completing the selection of cast parts on WSA is the custom oil tank and seat pan, while Sikiö also used aluminum to create the hand beaten gas tank.
Given that the Twin Club MC Norrtälje show has a strict ride-inn rule, if the bike isn’t ridden into the show it isn’t eligible for a prize, there was no doubt that this hand-built special was a runner and this was reflected in the voting by Sikiö’s fellow competitors at the World Championship who placed the bik second in the Freestyle class.

WAYLON MACHINERY
Juupajoki, FINLAND

Bitubo

Bitubo H-D suspension options

BITUBO debuted its new line of Harley-Davidson suspension products during the 2015 Motor Bike Expo in Verona, Italy. 

KB1 Kit

The company’s new product range begins with three fork tuning options; JBH, JBC and KB1. JBH features pressurized cartridges with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound. For the JBC package, Bitubo has a pair of ‘hybrid’ cartridges, consisting of a pressurized cartridge with adjustable spring preload and rebound, cap and a spring with only preload on the other leg. A spring and cap kit with preload adjustment makes up the KB1.

JBH Kit

All of the fork upgrade options for H-D offered by Buitubo can be installed without modification. The cartridges used in the packages are supplied with a system of spacers that allows the suspension to be set at stock height or up to 30mm lower. Additionally, the top of each cartridge has a trim ring in red or black, and several aluminum caps are offered as optional flush covers of the fork adjustments. They are available in chrome or black, and can be customized with laser etching as desired. 

JBC Kit

To complement the fork options, Bitubo is also offering a line of ‘All Black’ shock absorbers for Harley-Davidson applications. 

BITUBO
Selve di Teolo (PD), ITALY
Tel: +39 0499903475
info@bitubo.com
www.bitubo.com

Drag Specialties

New lines from Drag Specialties

DRAG Specialties’ product range includes small parts for detailing engines, and among these are finned spark plug/headbolt covers. The die-cast aluminum covers remove the need to buy individual headbolt and spark plug covers by fitting over the entire headbolt and spark plug base, accenting the head area. The covers are sold as a kit to complete two heads fitting ‘99-‘15 Twin Cam and ‘04-‘15 XL models, in finned, wrinkle black finish.  

The options offered by Drag Specialties to dress to a bike include the company’s satin black transmission side covers. The covers, which are made from die-cast zinc and mount with the existing hardware, are available to fit ‘07-‘15 FLHT, FLHR, FLTR and H-D FL trike models with mechanical clutch, and also for ‘06-‘15 FXD, FXDWG and ‘07-‘15 FXST and FLST models.

Drag Specialties has designed its Big Buffalo saddlebag bars to match its Big Buffalo engine bars. They are made from 1-1/4in steel tubing and offered in the choice of chrome or black powder coat and fit ‘14-‘15 FLHT, FLHX and FLHR models.

The Precision Tourbox lid from Drag Specialties can be used as a bolt-on replacement for the OEM part, and be used in repairs or simply to freshen an older bike up. Manufactured from OEM-grade materials, the lid accepts OEM and aftermarket mounting hardware, reinforcing plate, liner and accessories, and is supplied with pre-drilled mounting holes and in a smooth finish that requires minimal prep before painting. The Precision lid is available to fit ‘06-‘13 FLHT and FLTR models.

To protect a bike’s fenders, Drag Specialties has fender skins available that feature a felt lining under automotive-grade vinyl or embossed gator leather centers with leather perimeter and a finished edge. The fender skins are designed to match Drag Specialties solo seats, but will work with most OEM and accessory solo seats. The fender skins, to fit ‘97-‘15 FLHR, FLHT, FLTR and FLHX models, include black zinc washer and screw to complete installation. 

DRAG SPECIALTIES
Janesville, Wisconsin, USA
Tel: 608 758 1111
drag@dragspecialties.com
www.dragspecialties.com

Arlen Ness

New parts from Ness

ARLEN Ness Enterprises continues to expand its product line, and among the latest releases are custom dipsticks and reusable billet oil filters.

The Ness dipsticks are available in either Beveled or Slot Track designs and with the choice of chrome or black finishes. The CNC machined billet dipsticks are a direct replacement for the OEM part and include a swiveling dipstick to monitor the oil level. They are available to fit ‘00-‘06 FLT, ‘06-‘14 Dyna, ‘99-‘05 Dyna, ‘00-‘14 Softail, and ‘07 onward FLT models. There are matching accessories available in both Beveled and Slot Track finishes, giving the bike a complete and harmonious look.

Among the matching accessories is the Ness reusable billet oil filter. Offered in Beveled or Deep Cut designs, in a choice of chrome of black, the filters feature an element made from laser-cut 304 stainless steel medical grade micronic cloth, which is said to catch items down to 35 microns, about three times better than most premium traditional oil filters. The filter is also said to maintain consistent flow under all conditions including extreme heat, presence of water and cold start-ups.

Ness reusable billet oil filters are available to fit ‘99-‘13 Twin Cam (all models), ‘91-‘98 Dyna Glide, ‘82-‘98 FLT, ‘84-‘99 Softail, ‘85-‘13 XL, ‘09-‘12 XR1200, Buell ‘97-‘02 MC Cyclone, ‘95-‘02 S3 Thunderbolt, and ‘96-‘02 X1 Lightning applications.

ARLEN NESS ENTERPRISES
Dublin, California, USA
Tel: 925 479 6350
contact@arlenness.com
www.arlenness.com

Aeromach USA

Indian dual position passenger floorboards

DUAL position passenger floorboards for ‘14 and newer Indian Motorcycles are the latest product to be put into production by Aeromach USA. 
 

“We have seen terrific response to our Indian accessories and requests for a high quality, American made passenger floorboard drove our decision to create this product,” says Aeromach owner Paul Aiken.

The floorboards, which are CNC-machined from T6-6061 billet aluminum and finished in chrome, are designed to be mounted in either the horizontal position or at a 12-degree angle, similar to the front rider floorboards.
“By offering a dual position board, the passenger can decide which is more comfortable. We add a non-slip ribbed vinyl foot surface and include stainless hardware to complete the package,” says Aiken.

AEROMACH USA LLC
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Tel: 704 599 1333
sales@aeromach.net
www.aeromach.net